John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the activities of the national Consumer Agency; his views on whether this activity constitutes good value for taxpayers' money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of a National Consumer Agency, which was the principal recommendation of the Consumer Strategy Group, was fully accepted by the Government. In this regard, I hope to publish the legislation establishing the new Agency later this year and to have the NCA up and running early in 2007.

The Deputy will be aware that I appointed a Board to the NCA in June 2005 to act in an interim capacity until the new Agency is established on a statutory basis. Since its appointment, the Interim Board has been very active in advocating the consumer's cause and raising the awareness of consumer rights. The Interim Board has been allocated funding to allow it to continue and intensify its activities throughout the course of 2006. In addition to being a forceful advocate on behalf of the consumer, the Interim Board as part of its terms of reference will have a key role in preparing the way for the fully operational Agency itself.

One of the Interim Board initial activities following its appointment was to articulate the consumer's case in the recent debate on the Groceries Order. Indeed that debate highlighted the importance of ensuring that the consumer's interests along with the interests of other parties are fully considered in issues of important public policy.

In addition, the Interim Board of the NCA has, since its appointment, been active in raising awareness of consumer rights and in particular its public campaign launched in the Christmas/New Year period focussing on the rights of consumers when purchasing products. This campaign involved a high profile series of both radio and television adverts and the publication of a National Shoppers' Rights Card which has been distributed to over 2 million consumers.

The Interim Board also established a consumer helpline which has received well in excess of 9,000 calls to date. The Interim Board has also initiated work on the development of its dedicated consumer website and it is anticipated that this will be fully operational in the third quarter of this year.

I am fully satisfied that the Interim Board is playing a very important role in bringing the consumer's interests to the fore and that its activities in focussing on raising awareness of consumer rights and the consumer agenda do represent value for money.

I am confident that the Interim Board in conjunction with other agencies such as the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Competition Authority and indeed the National Consumer Agency itself, once formally established, will help to create a new environment of consumer awareness, access, protection and influence that will enhance the quality of life for Irish consumers.